China Launches AI Hyperspectral Satellites via Smart Dragon-3 Rocket

China successfully launched two AI-empowered hyperspectral remote sensing satellites, Samarkand-2028 and Lampung-1, into orbit on Wednesday, August 5, 2026. A Smart Dragon-3 rocket delivered the spacecraft from sea waters near Haiyang in East China's Shandong Province.

Wuhan University developed the satellites under the guidance of STAR.AI Spatio-temporal Intelligence Technology Co., Ltd. The satellites utilize onboard AI inference capabilities provided by Star Vision Aerospace Group Ltd, allowing for real-time data analysis while in orbit. These new assets will integrate with the existing Dongfang Huiyan high resolution 01 satellite to establish a comprehensive survey system for monitoring mineral deposits, vegetation, and water quality.

The mission involved international collaboration with Indonesia's Lampung Province and the Uzbekistan Space Agency, which co-developed the AI algorithms for the Samarkand-2028 satellite. Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev watched the launch and extended congratulations on the collaborative achievement.